Celebrating Kanga with Muna Ally

As part of Mezrad’s commitment to celebrating cultural storytelling, we hosted the Kanga Workshop with documentary photographer and founder of The Kanga Project, Muna Ally at Al Mirani Fort. Muna is renowned for her initiative of gifting kangas (traditional East African textiles rich in symbolism and storytelling) to women in Zanzibar, celebrating their cultural heritage through craftsmanship and empowerment.

During the workshop, participants immersed themselves in the vibrant world of kanga design, learning about its origins as a printed cotton fabric adorned with borders (pindo) and central squares (mji) imprinted with patterns and proverbs. They then channeled this inspiration into creating personal kanga-inspired tote bag.

The interactive experience resonated deeply with Mezrad’s mission: fostering connections through heritage, creativity, and meaningful traditions. It offered a unique space for participants to explore how a piece of fabric can weave stories of identity, memory, and cultural dialogue, continuing the narrative begun by Muna Ally’s powerful photographic and philanthropic work.